At some historically Black college and university football games, the fifth quarter is a postgame exchange between the marching bands. The football score is final. The trombones have requested a separate hearing.[1]
Format
In a fifth quarter, bands can trade selections back and forth from the stands. A zero quarter is a related exchange before kickoff.
Southern and Jackson State
Southern University’s Human Jukebox and Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South are associated with the development of this competitive format. At Southern, the Fabulous Dancing Dolls are a central part of the band’s game-day performances.
Scoring
The official scoreboard has no column for the band battle. The unofficial scoreboard is any comment section that has been arguing about a clip for eleven years.